In 1986, Leland Kennedy was called upon to serve as the fourth president of Baptist Bible College. Kennedy comes from a ministry family; his father was a pastor and was present during the founding of the BBFI. The Kennedy family was reached for Christ through the ministry of John Rawlings. Kennedy was a 1956 graduate of Baptist Bible College, becoming the first alumnus to return and serve as college president.
Kennedy served as a pastor for many years. He also served as BBFI president. This experience gave Kennedy insight into the difficult financial situation BBC was facing upon his arrival. With his proven leadership serving the BBFI and his many friendships, he led the Fellowship in raising an immediate substantial offering to keep the college alive. He continued to pour himself into the health and future of BBC, traveling, preaching, meeting, promoting, and raising funds.
Parker Daily, a long-time Kansas City pastor, served alongside Kennedy as his vice-president. He later asked Gary Gray, who was pastoring in Wichita, Kansas, to move to Springfield and serve as executive vice-president, overseeing daily campus functions.
Work began in 1999 for BBC to apply for accreditation with the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. This required an incredible amount of work on behalf of faculty and administrators. The Accrediting Association of Bible Colleges had previously approved the college in 1978.
In 1995, Leland’s lovely wife Joy passed away from cancer. To celebrate her life and influence, the Joy Kennedy Memorial Prayer Chapel was built and dedicated in May 1996. Kennedy later married Nelda Blaylock from Oklahoma. During the Kennedy years, there were many significant accomplishments; addressing immediate financial needs, leading the college to begin the accreditation process, remodeling facilities, and beginning to re-grow student enrollment.
